Firearm and ammunition safe

ABSTRACT

A firearm storage device is provided that has a plurality of doors each separately lockable in a closed position. The storage device has a plurality of separate storage chambers each associated with a respective door, at least one for a firearm and at least one for ammunition, and operable to keep a firearm and ammunition separate during storage. The storage device is portable.

PRIORITY CLAIM

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in anApplication Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, thepresent invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/952,769, entitled “FIREARM AND AMMUNITION SAFE”, filed Dec. 23,2019. The contents of the above referenced application are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves the provision of a storage device adaptedfor the storage of ammunition and a firearm separately in a singlestorage device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Secure storage of firearms is desirable, and in some jurisdictions, itis required. Devices have been developed to improve on security,although any storage device can be defeated, typically by complete orpartial destruction of the security device. Locked gun cabinets havebeen used for decades, if not centuries, for secure storage. Gun rackswith a securing device, such as a lock and cable, have also been used tosecure firearms. Gun safes, which are typically fire resistant, are alsoused, but are large and heavy and not easily movable. Trigger locks andlocking cables are used to secure short arms such as pistols. Long guns,like rifles and shotguns, can also use either a locking cable or triggerlock. Trigger locks and cables with locks likely provide the leastsecurity. Small gun safes, such as RAPiD® Safes made by Hornady can alsobe used. Except for the large multi gun safes however, ammunition is notsecured with the firearm and is stored and secured remote from thefirearm, if at all. If ammunition is stored in the same area as thefirearm in a portable safe, it can move into the firearm, marring thefirearm or damaging a bullet in a casing.

Currently known container type storage devices for short firearms areeffective at securing a firearm, but they are not structured to securelystore ammunition separately from the firearm, whether the cartridges areloose or in a magazine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many securement devices have been designed for the secure storage offirearms. Those include trigger locks, gun racks, gun cabinets, largeand heavy upstanding safes, small portable safes, cable locks, and thelike. They, however, are not designed to store ammunition with therelevant firearm while keeping them separately in a manner that allowsthe firearm and ammunition to be moved together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage deviceconfigured to allow storing a firearm and its ammunition separately,while allowing simultaneous movement between locations.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention toprovide a storage device with separately accessible securable storagecompartments, each separately accessible by a user.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a firearmsecurity device that can utilize various forms of lock systems.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide afirearm security device that improves the user's security whileimproving security from firearm misuse.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with anyaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings containedherein constitute a part of this specification, include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a firearm and ammunition storage device;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 in an open configurationwith an ammunition chamber shown open;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 in an open configurationwith a firearm chamber shown open;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 showing theammunition storage compartment;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 showing the firearmstorage chamber;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the storage devicewith the doors closed; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the second embodiment of FIG. 6 with thedoors open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The reference numeral 10 designates generally a storage deviceconfigured to secure a firearm and ammunition separately in a singleintegrated portable device, but in separate chambers having separatelockable doors. The device 10 is easily portable, i.e., easily carriedby a person with one hand and weighing less than 50 pounds when empty.The device 10 includes a receptacle 12 having a plurality of separatestorage chambers 13, 14 simultaneously movable with the receptacle 12and an access door 16, 18 associated with each chamber 13, 14 forselectively closing each chamber. While two chambers 13, 14 are shown,any suitable number in a plurality can be provided so long as the gunstorage chamber(s) are separate from the ammunition chamber(s) with anintervening barrier. Additionally, while two doors 16, 18 are shown, anysuitable number in a plurality of doors can be provided. As illustrated,each chamber 13, 14 has a door 16, 18, respectively. The access doors16, 18 are each pivotally mounted to the receptacle 12 and exposed to anexterior of the receptacle, each movable relative to the other andpositioned to open exteriorly of the receptacle. The door 16 is operablefor overlying the chamber 13 and is selectively moveable between an openposition on the exterior of the receptacle, allowing access to thechamber 13, and a second position closing the chamber 13 access openingdescribed below. The door 18 is operable for overlying the chamber 14and is selectively moveable between an open position on the exterior ofthe receptacle 12, allowing access to the chamber 14, and a secondposition closing the chamber 14 access opening described below.

While the device 10 is shown as being configured for the storage of ashort firearm 20, such as a pistol, it is to be understood that thedevice 10 can be configured for storage of a long firearm, such as arifle or shotgun.

The receptacle 12, as illustrated in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.1-5, has the chambers 13 and 14 opening onto opposite sides 22, 24thereof and preferably sharing a common receptacle dividing bottom wall28 providing separation for the chambers 13, 14. As illustrated, thechamber 13 is configured, sized and shaped, for storing a firearm 20,such as a pistol, therein and is defined by the bottom wall portion 28,an exterior sidewall 26, and an interior sidewall 30. It is to beunderstood that the sidewall 30 is optional. The sidewalls 26, 30 definean access opening 32 which allows access to the chamber 13 for thedepositing and removal of the firearm 20. The chamber 14 is configured,sized and shaped, for storing ammunition 34 as either separatecartridges or cartridges contained in a magazine or loading assistdevice, such as a speedloader used with revolvers or in a container likea consumer ammunition package. The chamber 14 is defined by the sidewall26 and an interior sidewall 36 and the bottom wall portion 28. Thesidewalls 26, 36 define an access opening 31 which allows access to thechamber 14 for the depositing or removal of the ammunition 34. It is tobe understood that the sidewall 36 is optional. The sidewall 26 definesthe outer perimeter of the receptacle 12. The bottom wall portion 28, 38lie in generally parallel planes and are spaced apart a distancesufficient to provide storage room for both the firearm 20 andammunition 34 in their respective chamber 13, 14. The receptacle 12 anddoors 16, 18 can be of molded polymeric construction or made of formedmetal or a combination thereof. The outwardly facing access openings 31,32 provide access to the chambers 13, 14 from the exterior of thereceptacle 12. The access openings 31, 32 are outwardly facing,providing access to said chambers 13, 14 from the exterior of thereceptacle 12. The wall portions 28, 38, 30 and 36 form an internalbarrier between the chambers 13, 14.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the receptacle 12 is provided with meanssuitable for attaching the doors 16, 18 to the receptacle and to allowtheir selective independent pivoting movement between respective openand closed positions. As shown, the doors 16, 18 are mounted such thatthey are independently accessible and independently movable between openand closed positions, i.e., either one can be opened or closed while theother is closed. In the illustrated structure, the chambers 13, 14 openin opposite directions and are accessible from opposite sides of thereceptacle 12. In the illustrated structure, there is a door 16 or 18mounted on opposite ends of the receptacle 12. Preferably, the doors 16,18 are mounted for pivoting movement between open and closed positionsas with a respective hinge 42 secured to both a door and the receptacle12. As shown, the hinges 42 are secured to a flange 44 integral with arespective sidewall 30 and 36, as with mechanical fasteners 54.

The doors 16, 18 are best seen in FIGS. 2-5. They are similar andpreferably substantially identical in construction as shown. The doorsmay be made of molded polymeric material or formed metal. Each door hasa main panel 50 with a depending skirt 52 at least partially surroundingthe perimeter of the main panel. The hinge 42 is secured to a respectiveskirt 52 as with mechanical fasteners 54. The skirt 52 surrounds andoverlies portions of the sidewall 26 when the doors 16, 18 are closed.Each door 16, 18 is provided with a lock device, designated generally60. The locks 60 can be of any suitable type, and a mechanical key locktype is shown. Preferably, the lock 60 is a barrel type lock that isoperable to move a latch arm 62 into and out of a slot 64 in thesidewall 30 or 36 to selectively releasably retain each door 16, 18 in alocked position. While a keylock is illustrated, it is to be understoodthat any lock or combination of lock types can be used. A mechanical ordigital lock, or a biometric lock device, can be used, such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,233,687.

The storage device 10 is shown as having doors 16, 18 on opposite sidesselectively closing oppositely facing chambers 13, 14. It is to beunderstood that the storage device 10 can have the storage chambersopening in the same direction with the plurality of doors 16, 18positioned on the same side of the receptacle, and still provide forseparate secure storage of the firearm 20 and ammunition 34 as shown inFIGS. 6, 7. The device 10 can be provided with indicia (not shown),preferably on the doors 16, 18, to indicate if that door provides accessto the firearm or ammunition. The locks 60 can be configured to use thesame key, combination and/or biometric information to effect unlocking,or they can be different as desired by a user.

The storage device 10 can be provided with a tether, such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,530,266 and 10,190,339, the disclosures ofwhich, relating to the tether and its attachment, are incorporatedherein by reference. The use of a tether limits portability of thestorage device 10 when the tether is in use.

FIGS. 6, 7 show a second embodiment of the storage device 10 with thesecond embodiment being designated generally 110. The storage device110, like the storage device 10, is configured to secure a firearm andammunition separately from one another in a single integrated portabledevice, but in separate chambers having separate lockable doors. Thedevice 110 is easily portable, i.e., easily carried by a person with onehand and weighing less than 50 pounds when empty. The device 110includes a receptacle 112 having a plurality of separate storagechambers 113, 114 simultaneously movable with the receptacle 112, and anaccess door 116, 118 associated with a respective chamber 113, 114 forselectively closing each chamber. While two chambers 113, 114 are shown,any suitable number in a plurality can be provided so long as the gunstorage chamber(s) are separate from the ammunition chamber(s) with anintervening internal barrier described below. Additionally, while twodoors 116, 118 are shown, any suitable number in a plurality of doorscan be provided. As illustrated, each chamber 113, 114 has a door 116,118, respectively. The access doors 116, 118 are each pivotally mountedto the receptacle 112 and exposed to an exterior of the receptacle, eachmovable relative to the other and positioned to open exteriorly of thereceptacle. The door 116 is operable for overlying the chamber 113 andis selectively moveable between an open position on the exterior of thereceptacle, allowing access to the chamber 113, and a second positionclosing the chamber 113 access opening described below. The door 118 isoperable for overlying the chamber 114 and is selectively moveablebetween an open position on the exterior of the receptacle 112, allowingaccess to the chamber 114, and a second position closing the chamber 114access opening described below.

The principal difference between the device 10 and the device 110 isthat its doors 116, 118 are positioned on the same side of the device110, as opposed to opposite sides as in the device 10. While the device110 is shown as being configured for the storage of a short firearm 20,such as a pistol, it is to be understood that the device 110 can beconfigured for storage of a long firearm, such as a rifle or shotgunlike the device 10.

The receptacle 112, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, has the chambers 113and 114 opening exteriorly from the same side 122 of receptacle 112 ofopposite sides 122, 124 thereof. The opposite sides 122, 124 arepreferably provided with generally planar surfaces, with the surfacesbeing generally parallel to another to facilitate the storage device110, like the storage device 10 resting on a storage surface. Asillustrated, the chamber 113 is configured, sized and shaped for storinga firearm 20, such as a pistol, therein and is defined by a bottom wallportion 128, and a sidewall that includes an exterior sidewall portion126 forming an outside perimeter of chamber 113, and a sidewall portion130 that forms an internal chamber 113 perimeter. The sidewall portions126, 130 define an outwardly facing opening 132 which allows access tothe chamber 113 for the depositing and removal of the firearm 20.

The chamber 114 is configured, sized and shaped for storing ammunition34 separate from a firearm. The chamber 114 is partially defined by asidewall that includes a sidewall portion that can be part of sidewall126 forming an outer perimeter of chamber 114 and the sidewall portion130 forming an internal perimeter of chamber 114 and the bottom wallportion 128. The sidewall portion 130 forms an internal barrier betweenthe chambers 113, 114. The sidewall portions 130, 126 define anoutwardly facing access opening 133, which allows access to the chamber114 for the depositing or removal of the ammunition 34. As shown, theopenings 132, 133 face generally in the same direction. While in theillustrated structure the chambers 113, 114 share the sidewall 130, itis to be understood that separate sidewall portions could be utilized.The sidewall 126 defines the outer perimeter of the receptacle 112.

The receptacle 112 and doors 116, 118 can be of molded polymericconstruction or made of formed metal, or a combination thereof.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the receptacle 112 is provided with meanssuitable for attaching the doors 116, 118 to the receptacle to allowtheir selective pivoting movement between respective open and closedpositions. As shown, the doors 116, 118 are mounted such that they areindependently accessible and independently movable between open andclosed positions, i.e., either one can be opened or closed while theother is closed. In the illustrated structure, the chambers 113, 114open generally in the same directions and are accessible from the sameside of the receptacle 112. In the illustrated structure, the doors 116,118 are mounted on adjacent sides of the receptacle 112, but it is to beunderstood that they can be mounted on opposite sides or ends.Preferably, the doors 116, 118 are mounted for pivoting movement betweenopen and closed positions as with a respective hinge 142 secured to botha door and the receptacle 112. As shown, the hinge 142 has a pair ofhinge portions 142A, 142B of molded construction with the portion 142Abeing part of sidewall 126 and portion 142B being part of a respectivedoor 116, 118. It is to be understood that the hinges 142 can beseparate like the hinges 42 and secured with mechanical fasteners 54.

The doors 116, 118 are best seen in FIGS. 6, 7. They are similar andpreferably substantially identical in construction as shown, but asshown are different in size. The doors may be made of molded polymericmaterial or formed metal. Each door 116, 118 has a main panel 150 with adepending skirt 152 at least partially surrounding the perimeter of themain panel. The skirt 152 surrounds and overlies portions of thesidewalls 126 when the doors 116, 118 are closed.

Each door 116, 118 is provided with a lock device designated generally160. The lock 160 can be of any suitable type, and a mechanical key locktype is shown. Preferably, the lock 160 is like the lock 60, and is abarrel type lock that is operable to move a latch arm 162 into and outof a slot 64 in the sidewall 130 or 126 to selectively releasably retaineach door 116, 118 in a locked position. While a keylock is illustrated,it is to be understood that any lock or combination of lock types can beused. A mechanical or digital lock, or a biometric lock device can beused, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,233,687.

The device 110 can be provided with indicia (not shown), preferably onthe doors 116, 118 to indicate if that door provides access to thefirearm or ammunition. The locks 160 can be configured to use the samekey, combination and/or biometric information to effect unlocking, orthey can be different as desired by a user.

The storage device 110 can be provided with a tether 170 mentionedabove, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,530,266 and10,190,339, the disclosures of which, relating to the tether and itsattachment, are incorporated herein by reference. The tether 170 can beremovably secured to the storage device 110 using the slot 172. The useof a tether limits portability of the storage device 10 when the tetheris in use.

The storage device 110 or 10 can be provided with a handle 175 tofacilitate its movement by a person. As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, the handleis secured to the storage device utilizing the sidewall 126. In theillustrated embodiment, the handle 176 is integral to the sidewall 126as in a molded construction. It provides a through opening 177 forreceipt of a user's hand.

In a modification of the storage device 110, either of the doors 116,118 can be provided with means that will prevent the other door fromopening without first opening one of the doors. As shown in dashedlines, the door 118 can be provided with a tab 182 that, when door 118is closed, the tab 182 will be positioned between the wall 130 and theskirt 152 of the door 116, preventing opening of door 118 until door 116is open.

Each receptacle 12, 112 can be provided with padding 188, such as opencell foam padding to protect the contents in the chamber 13, 14, 113,114.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification areindicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable firearm storage device adapted forsecurely storing a firearm and ammunition separately in a single unit,the storage device including: a receptacle having an outer perimetersidewall; at least two storage chambers in said receptacle, and eachsaid chamber having an outwardly facing access opening providing accessto said chambers from the exterior of the receptacle, a first saidstorage chamber being configured for receiving a firearm therein and asecond said storage chamber being configured for receiving ammunitiontherein, said chambers being simultaneously movable with saidreceptacle, said chambers being separate from one another; at least twoaccess doors pivotally mounted to the receptacle and exposed to anexterior of the receptacle, each movable relative to the other andpositioned to open exteriorly of the receptacle, a first said dooroperable for overlying said first chamber and selectively moveablebetween an open position on the exterior of the receptacle allowingaccess to said first chamber and a second position closing the firstchamber access opening, a second said door operable for overlying saidsecond chamber and selectively moveable between an open position on theexterior of the receptacle allowing access to said second chamber and asecond position closing the second chamber access opening; a pluralityof lock devices including a first lock device associated with the firstdoor and operable to lock the first door in a closed position, andincluding a second lock device associated with the second door andoperable to lock the second door in a closed position.
 2. The storagedevice of claim 1 wherein said first and second door being independentlymovable relative to one another, whereby either of said first and seconddoors can be moved without moving the other of said first and seconddoors, allowing independent access to said first and second chambers. 3.The storage device of claim 1 wherein the first and second chamberopenings facing generally in opposite directions and having a commonwall therebetween.
 4. The storage device of claim 1 wherein the firstand second chamber openings facing generally in the same direction. 5.The storage device of claim 1 wherein the first and second chambersbeing partially defined by an exterior sidewall portion.
 6. The storagedevice of claim 4 wherein the first and second chambers being partiallydefined by an exterior sidewall portion and an interior sidewall portionpositioned between the first and second chambers and connected to theexterior sidewall portion.
 7. The storage device of claim 1 wherein thestorage device being portable.
 8. The storage device of claim 7 whereinthe storage device including a tether adapted for selective securementto the storage device.
 9. The storage device of claim 7 wherein thestorage device including a handle exposed on the exterior of the storagedevice.
 10. The storage device of claim 1 including first and secondhinges pivotally mounting said first and second doors respectively tosaid receptacle.
 11. The storage device of claim 10 wherein the firstand second locks each being mounted to a respective said first door andsecond door and moveable therewith.